Confirmed: MySpace to Join Google's OpenSocial Team

Updated: 5:19 PM EDT When we first reported Google's launch of the new developer platform, OpenSocial, we couldn't help but comment on the fact that it seemed like product of bad blood, in light of the company's loss to Microsoft...

When we first reported Google's launch of the new developer platform, OpenSocial, we couldn't help but comment on the fact that it seemed like product of bad blood, in light of the company's loss to Microsoft in the recent Facebook bidding war.

The platform works much like the open-source code that allows third-parties to design apps for Faceboook, only OpenSocial will extend beyond a single social network, to other blogs and Web sites. At the time of its launch, LinkedIn, Friendster, and Google's own social network, Orkut, had already signed partnerships with Google. Companies behind some of Facebook's most popular apps, including iLike and Slide, have thrown their hats in the ring.

The rumors that have been floating around the blogosphere, earlier today have just been confirmed, as well.

Myspace has added their considerable clout to the list of a dozen or so sites that have signed onto Google's OpenSocial platform. According to Reuters, Myspace and Google announced today that both companies have been working on projects for more than a year.

Both companies confirmed the partnership in a joint press release. "Our partnership with Google allows developers to gain massive distribution without unnecessary specialized
development for every platform," said Myspace co-founder and CEO, Chris DeWolfe. "This is
about helping the start-up spend more time building a great product rather than rebuilding it for every social network. We're pleased to collaborate with Google to establish a landmark standard for social applications."

The social networking site's CTO added what seemed like a parting shot at Faceboook, "We're all citizens of a larger Web--no network is an island onto itself. We look forward to continuing to develop great technology with Google and all of the OpenSocial participants.
It's exciting that social networks are getting social with each other."

Myspace is currently the world's largest social networking site, with 110 million users to Facebook's 48 million.

About the Author

Brian Heater has worked at a number of tech pubs, including Engadget, Laptop, and PCMag (where he served as Senior Editor). Most recently, he was as the Managing Editor of TechTimes.com. His writing has appeared in Spin, Wired, Playboy, Entertainment Weekly, The Onion, Boing Boing, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Beast and various other publications. ... See Full Bio

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